DUBLIN, CA–With the retirement of Dublin High School Principal Carol Shimizu comes a changing of the guard – from within the current DHS administration. Maureen Byrne, who has served as Assistant Principal at Dublin High School since 2004, was recently named Principal. Most recently, she oversaw the implementation of the College and Career Readiness program, including the addition of the “Gael Period”, the Freshman Seminar curriculum, the Freshman Mentoring Program and the “The Hub”, which offers intervention and tutoring programs. In addition, she has served as the administrator for Special Education, Mathematics, World Language and Counseling the Bio-Medical academy, as well as the site’s testing coordinator. Byrne has a 24-year career in education, beginning as a Resource Specialist, working at the high school and middle school levels in Newark and Ventura school districts. Byrne earned her Masters’ in Education from UC Santa Barbara.
OneDublin.org recently sat down with Maureen to learn more about her plans for Dublin High School:
OneDublin.org: How would you describe Dublin High School to a family considering moving to Dublin?
DUBLIN, CA–Triggered by community concerns over student stress and wellness, and powerful documentaries including Race to Nowhere and Beyond Measure, the Dublin High School recently convened a Homework and Grading Committee consisting of School Board Members Dan Cunningham and Megan Rouse, administration, teachers and parents (full list available here). The committee has identified a series of Dublin Unified School District policy changes which will be given a first reading at tonight’s Board of Trustees meeting (5/24).
Dublin isn’t the only Bay Area school district to struggle with the challenge of balancing wellness and achievement. The high-performing Palo Alto Unified School District, which has seen student suicide clusters in 2009 and again in 2014, recently eliminated zero period for academic classes in response to concerns about the link between lack of sleep and wellness. The CDC recently published a multi-year study connecting sleep deprivation in teenagers to injury-related risk behaviors: “Insufficient sleep is common among high school students and has been associated with an increased risk for motor vehicle crashes, sports injuries, and occupational injuries.” (source)
The diminishing returns of too much homework has also been widely studied. Stanford University’s Denise Pope explored homework in her study the ‘Nonacademic Effects of Homework in Privileged, High-Performing High Schools‘. “Pope and her colleagues found that too much homework can diminish its effectiveness and even be counterproductive. They cite prior research indicating that homework benefits plateau at about two hours per night, and that 90 minutes to two and a half hours is optimal for high school.” (source)
Parents concerned about this issue are encouraged to attend and make public comments.
Below is a summary of key recommended changes to the existing DUSD policy:
- Add the following statement: “The Board of education strongly believes in the balance of wellness and achievement”
- Expand the definition of homework to: “Homework is defined as any task assigned to students by school teachers that are meant to be carried out during non‐school hours. It includes independent preview, practice or completion of skills and concepts taught during class, projects, test and performance preparation, and daily independent reading.”
- Consistent with reasons for advancing the start of the school year for 2016-17: “The Winter Break is intended to be a time that is free from school work for students and staff. There should be no expectations on the part of students or staff that schoolwork is done over this period. No assignments should be given over the Winter Break and any long term assignments given before the Winter Break should not be due during the first week back from the Break.”
- Regarding additional breaks: “The Board further recognizes that all major holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Spring Break, are important periods of rest and relaxation for students, teachers, and families.”
- Regarding the homework guidelines: “Homework is designed to be up to 2 hours per
night, or 8-10 hours per week, if the student is not enrolled in any advanced courses.
Each honors and advanced placement course may require additional homework of up to an hour per night per course. Parents and students shall* use the course catalog to determine approximate HW loads. Students are encouraged to take small breaks if their total focused HW time takes longer than 2 hours per night.” - The following point which excluded Honors and Advanced Placement courses from the policy is deleted.
Complete summary of recommendation policy changes.
Life at The University of Idaho – Arianna Georgallis’ Journey from Gaels to Vandals Country
DUBLIN, CA–We continue our Life in College Series with a trip north of California to the University of Idaho. Dublin High School Class of 2014 graduate and University of Idaho rising junior Arianna Georgallis shares her story of discovering the beauty of Idaho in pursuit of a degree in philosophy.
OneDublin.org: How did you end up selecting the University of Idaho?
Arianna Georgallis: “I had a really hard time deciding where to go to college. I knew I wanted to go out of state, and I knew I wanted a school that had Greek life and a football team. My parents really helped – we sat down and made lists of different schools and different places. It was actually my mom who recommended that I apply to the University of Idaho. I know for a lot of students in the Bay Area going to school in Idaho doesn’t sound appealing, and I was reluctant at first, but I applied anyway and was offered a scholarship. When we actually visited the school I fell in love with the campus: the school was just the right size, not tiny and not overwhelming.
“The admitted students program was terrific. I spent a night at a sorority and a night in the dorms so I really was able to experience the feeling of living there. I also was able to meet with the advisor I’d work with if I committed to the school. The program really helped me understand both the academic and social aspects of the school.
“It’s a great location in a relatively small town in northern Idaho. You get the college town feel, a beautiful campus with classic brick buildings, and community gatherings at sporting events. Whether you are in Greek life or in dorms it’s an all around amazing place to live.”
OneDublin.org: Coming from California, what are the biggest misconceptions about Idaho and the University of Idaho now that you’ve been there for two years?
Dublin High School Senior Joshua Engel Charts an Alternative Path for College Acceptance
DUBLIN, CA–If you are fortunate enough to be the parent/guardian of a current high school student, what do you talk about? Is the discussion about their aspirations, their goals or their friends? Chances are they include all three subjects. But there is an equal chance that the conversation surrounds the stress that they are experiencing. It is the stress that is attached to academic achievement, overall student excellence and just simply fitting in.
These are not new paradigms and they have existed for decades. However, in 2016, many families feel a much heightened level of pressure for their children to succeed – whether in the classroom or even the playing field. Numerous school districts in California and across the nation are taking a much closer look at Student Wellness and how this is ultimately affecting all of our children. While very few would dispute the importance of this subject, the reality of school district budgetary shortfalls have had a direct impact upon the ability to deliver these types of services to its clients. The Dublin Unified School District is not different. While the necessity for this type of support at Dublin High School was clearly identified some time ago, the absence of funding for a separate/private facility has prevented this program from moving forward.
But what is truly fueling this added level of stress? There are too many factors to list. However, an anecdotal survey among students would easily yield the response of the need to enroll/test/pass Advanced Placement courses. With the level of competition to gain admission into institutions of higher learning across the country, the stakes have risen relative to what a high school transcript “should” look like. Some of this is driven by students that are feeling this pressure. Additionally, parents are often driving the need for their children to optimize their high school years in the pursuit of gaining any possible advantage.
2nd Annual Dublin High School Film Festival Coming May 19, Showcases Growing Video Production Program
To a relatively small group of students at Dublin High School, none of this came as a big surprise. However, to some of their fellow Gaels and patrons, something like this could not have been anticipated. Led by teacher Michael D’Ambrosio, the fledgling Video Production program (both sections of them) staged an ambitious, yet wildly successful film festival last year at the Center for Performing Arts & Education. The evening had the vibe of a Hollywood premiere. The theater was packed and those without a seat viewed the screening from adjacent studio and classroom monitors. The audience was treated to a night of sensational work that was all student-produced.
So, how does one explain the virtual “explosion” of a program and its exponential growth? The current academic year included four sections of instruction and it will then expand to five sections in 2016-17. The 2nd Annual DHS Film Festival will occur on Thursday, May 19th. A myriad of events celebrating the arts will happen on the same evening. However, the doors will open at 6:30 PM with the full performance starting at 7:00 PM. In order to answer the previous question, OneDublin.org reached out to the Dublin High School “wizard” of video production, Michael D’Ambrosio, to gain some perspective.
OneDublin.org: As we have previously discussed, the rapid explosion of the Video Production program. In less than three years, it will have grown from two, to four and now five sections in 2016-17. To what do you attribute this incredible growth?
Graduating UC Berkeley in Three Years – Dublin High School’s Tatum Wheeler’s Accelerated College Experience
DUBLIN, CA–Our next Life After College Series article profiles Tatum Wheeler, Dublin High School Class of 2012 and University of California, Berkeley Class of 2015 graduate (BA Political Science, BSc Society and Environment). Doing the math that’s 2015 – 2012 = 3 years for two majors from Berkeley; add on rowing crew, holding a leadership position in the Berkeley Panhellenic chapter, working as a resident assistant and being a first-generation college graduate and you have a rich college experience. Tatum also wrote one of the most popular Life in College Series articles back in 2013 (read more…). Tatum is currently working as a legal assistant at a law firm and intends to attend law school.
We recently met up with Tatum to learn more about her unique Berkeley experience.
OneDublin.org: Looking back at your Life in College article, which captured a typical day for you at Berkeley, how did your routine change as you completed your upper year classes?
Tatum Wheeler: “As a Political Science and Society and Environment major my upper year semesters ended with papers rather than final exams. In my last semester I had three papers due the Tuesday of Finals Week so I was able to create my own schedule and have a lot more flexibility. During my first year at Berkeley I lived on campus, the second year I commuted and my third year I was back on campus as a Resident Assistant. For the most part it stayed the same, although I stayed on campus more during the year I commuted. I’m a creature of habit so my schedule didn’t change that much!”
OneDublin.org: What is “political science”? Has your view of politics changed after completing your degree?
DUBLIN, CA–The Dublin Unified Board of Trustees approved the appointments of new leaders at the district’s two high school campuses at their regular meeting Tuesday night.
Maureen Byrne was appointed principal at Dublin High School, while Megan Pettis was appointed as principal at Valley High School. Both appointments are effective for the start of the 2016-17 school year.
Byrne has served as Assistant Principal at Dublin High School since 2004. Most recently, she oversaw the implementation of the College and Career Readiness program, including the addition of the “Gael Period”, the Freshman Seminar curriculum, the Freshman Mentoring Program and the “The Hub”, which offers intervention and tutoring programs. In addition, she has served as the administrator for Special Education, Mathematics, World Language and Counseling the Bio-Medical academy, as well as the site’s testing coordinator.
Byrne has a 24-year career in education, beginning as a Resource Specialist, working at the high school and middle school levels in Newark and Ventura school districts.
Byrne, who earned her Masters’ in Education from U.C. Santa Barbara, succeeds Carol Shimizu, who has served as the principal of Dublin High School since 2004 and departs as the longest-tenured principal in school history. Shimizu announced her retirement in January, ending a 48-year career in education.
Pettis comes to Dublin following five years as Coordinator of Secondary Instruction in the Novato Unified School District. She served as the Assistant Principal at San Marin High School from 2006-2012. Her teaching career includes stops at Tomales High School, Paradise High School and Fortuna High School.
Pettis, who received her Masters’ in Educational Leadership at Sonoma State University, succeeds interim principal Barbara Heisser at Valley High School.
“We are very proud of the programs we have for students at Dublin High and Valley High schools,” said Superintendent Stephen Hanke. “The many successes we have experienced at these two schools are due to visionary leadership at both sites. We look forward to seeing the outstanding results continue under the guidance of Ms. Byrne and Ms. Pettis. We are thrilled to have them join the leadership team in Dublin.”
Dublin High School has become one of the top high schools in the state, with escalating API scores, an increasing number of Honors and Advanced Placement courses (currently 24), and a significant uptick in the number of students taking AP, SAT and ACT tests with increasing scores on those exams. DHS has initiated Academies and Pathways in Engineering, Bio-Medical, Culinary Arts, Visual and Performing Arts and Digital Media and has successfully implemented the College and Career Readiness program. The state-of-the-art campus has been extensively modernized, remodeled and rebuilt to support 21st-Century learning and technology, while classroom space has been significantly increased to accommodate continued enrollment growth.
Valley High School is among the top alternative high schools in the state. Valley is WASC-accredited and was named a Model Continuation High School by the State of California in 2014. Valley’s campus has also undergone an extensive modernization and remodel thanks to funds from the Measure C general obligation bond. The work included significant replacement of classrooms as well as administrative buildings, media center and exterior spaces.
13th Annual Crystal Apple Awards Celebrates Local Teachers and Outgoing Dublin Administrators
Crystal Apple Award
PLEASANTON, CA–Thirteen was not an unlucky number for a special group of educators at the 13th annual Crystal Apple Awards last Sunday hosted by Dublin and Pleasanton high school students of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Crystal Apple Awards are unique in that students nominate and recognize the teachers, and organize the annual event.
In addition to the student-led recognition of six teachers from three Tri-Valley high schools (details below), there were also two Education Leadership Awards presented by the Church members and parents to Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hanke (retiring after 45 years of service in public education, including 10 here in Dublin) and Carol Shimizu (retiring Principal from Dublin High School, after 12 years as the Principal at DHS and 48 years in public education).
After the presentation of the Crystal Apple Awards to the Teachers by their students, Mayor David Haubert took a few minutes to commend both Superintendent Hanke and Mrs. Shimizu for all of their remarkable service and the tremendous positive impact they have had on our schools and communities.
Green Elementary School’s Award-winning Gold Ribbon Journey
DUBLIN, CA–Earlier this month, the Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) announced that three of its elementary school sites had achieved the designation of Gold Ribbon Award for the 2016 academic year. While this is not a new recognition, it does temporarily replace the previous California Distinguished Schools Program while new assessments systems are integrated. In alternate years, close to 6,000 elementary schools are considered for this distinction while middle and high schools (secondary) are evaluated in other years.
In sum, elementary schools achieving this recognition were Murray, Green and Dougherty. This was a remarkable achievement – particularly when one considers that these three elementary sites were among a total of 29 throughout the entirety of Alameda County.
As with any type of recognition, there is a process and a timeline. In this particular case, it traveled back to October 16, 2015. This date represented the date for a submission deadline. As has been his philosophy for many years, Superintendent Dr. Hanke encouraged all of his elementary site leaders to submit an application for this distinction. And, seven months later, we have received the results. OneDublin.org sought out Principal Joe Romagna of John Green Elementary School to solicit his feedback and experiences from this process. Ultimately, we were hoping to shed a partial light on the application process. And, we clearly wanted to understand what such a distinction could mean to an entire elementary school site. The following is a transcript of our discussion.
OneDublin.org: Please share how/why you were encouraged to apply for the Gold Ribbon Schools Program in the place.
Dublin School Board Set to Vote on Student Dress Code Change
DUBLIN, CA–The Dublin Unified School District Board of Trustees will receive an update on the always controversial topic of student dress code regulations at tonight’s school board meeting. Included in the action item are results of surveys fielded to Dublin High School, Valley High School, Fallon Middle School and Wells Middle School parents, students, teachers and administration. Students familiar with the “shorter than mid thigh” rule may soon need to get used to a new “thumb length” rule. Not surprisingly adults and teens disagree on the question: “Do you believe the dress code is reasonable?”
- Teachers: Strongly Agree / Agree: 63% vs. Somewhat or Strongly Disagree: 21%
- Parents: Strongly Agree / Agree: 55% vs. Somewhat or Strongly Disagree: 25%
- Students: Strongly Agree / Agree: 17% vs. Somewhat or Strongly Disagree: 74%
Teachers, parents and teens do agree, however, that the dress code is not enforced fairly. Responses to”Do you believe the dress code is fairly enforced?”
- Teachers: Strongly Agree / Agree: 28% vs. Somewhat or Strongly Disagree: 57%
- Parents: Strongly Agree / Agree: 18% vs. Somewhat or Strongly Disagree: 51%
- Students: Strongly Agree / Agree: 19% vs. Somewhat or Strongly Disagree: 71%
The survey results from the district aren’t broken down by the gender of the respondent but based on the numerous comments from students, issues around fairness of enforcement focus on how girls are treated. Some representative comments from students:
OneDublin.org 